Reply To: Born that way?

Home Forums Decaffeinated Coffee Born that way? Reply To: Born that way?

#830606
HaLeiVi
Participant

The Gemara in Bava Basra says that Iyov said to Hashem, “You created Tzaddikim and you created Resha’im.” Hashem Answered him, “Barasi Yetzer Hara, Barasi Torah Tavlin.”

Yiras Shamayim is the only part that is up to you. Your actions follow, based on abilities and circumstance, both from Hashem.

However, Tosafos in Nidah 16b points to the fact that Menashe being a Rasha was foretold to Chizkiyahu, and says, among other Terutzim, that Mazal can indeed cause someone to be a Rasha, and Min Hashamayim they won’t get in the way of the Mazal.

This Tosafos is puzzling considering the Gemara in Bava Basra that I mentioned. The Tosafos Harosh says it a bit differently. He says that most people just follow their nature. In other words, like many have written here, the person might be born with an evil nature, and while it is his responsibility and ability to change, most don’t.

Also, even if a person is born as a Rasha his job would be to do Teshuva. Tosafos’ proof was from Menashe. He actually did Teshuva.